3-034-662 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Druidic remains of Brittany: the Great Dolmen of Corconne, 1871. Ancient site in northern France. 'The form of structure named a cromlech or kist-vaen, which is much the same as what is called a dolmen in Brittany, consists of four stones, arranged so as to build a chamber open at one side, but closed at the top. These seem to have been constructed for sepulchres, and it is probable that they were covered with heaped-up earth, to make a high mound or barrow. Galleries connecting one such chamber with another, like subterranean catacombs, may have been made under the artificially-raised bank of earth...The roofed chamber of stones, in fact, would be a contrivance to preserve the hallowed corpse, with any other sacred objects laid beside it, from being crushed beneath the earth of the mound above; and there may have been a covered passage for the priests to get access to the interior recess'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.